Capless Regulator Circuit for Wide Input Voltage and Low Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional regulator circuits fail to simultaneously achieve capless operation, wide range input voltage acceptance, and low power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed regulator circuit incorporates a power transistor, a monitor transistor, a constant current source, and a cascode circuit with transistors and constant current sources arranged in specific configurations to control voltage and current flow, preventing the increase in gate voltage from affecting the monitor transistor and maintaining output voltage stability across a wide range of input voltages while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional regulator circuit is designed to accept a wide range of input voltages, then the input voltage acceptance range is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator circuit is divided into multiple functional blocks: a power transistor for voltage regulation, a monitor transistor for detecting output voltage, a constant current source for biasing, and a cascode circuit for amplification. Each block performs a specific function, allowing the circuit to handle wide input voltage ranges efficiently while maintaining low power consumption through optimized current paths in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cascode circuit acts as an intermediary between the monitor transistor and the power transistor gate. It amplifies the small voltage difference detected by the monitor transistor and provides the appropriate gate drive voltage to the power transistor, enabling precise regulation across wide input voltage ranges without requiring excessive bias current.
2Reliability
If the regulator circuit is designed to be capless (capacitor-less), then the number of components is reduced and reliability is improved, but the ability to maintain stable operation across wide input voltage ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator circuit uses itself to generate the necessary bias conditions. The constant current source is generated within the circuit using the power transistor and monitor transistor, and the cascode circuit provides self-biasing through its transistor configuration. This eliminates the need for external capacitors while maintaining stable operation across wide input voltage ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit dynamically adjusts operating parameters (current levels, voltage drops across components) based on the input voltage level. The cascode circuit modifies its gain and the constant current source adjusts its current level to maintain proper biasing conditions across different input voltages, enabling capless operation with wide voltage acceptance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the regulator circuit is designed for low power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ability to accept wide range of input voltages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator circuit dynamically adapts its operating characteristics to the input voltage level. The cascode circuit provides variable gain and the constant current source adjusts its output based on the input voltage, allowing the circuit to maintain low power consumption at low input voltages while still being capable of handling higher input voltages when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A capless regulator circuit is provided. The regulator circuit includes a power transistor that controls the supply of current to an external output terminal connected to a load; a monitor transistor provided between the external output terminal and a reference voltage terminal to which a reference voltage is supplied, and through which a current corresponding to the voltage of the external output terminal flows; a first constant current source that is provided in series with the monitor transistor and generates a first voltage according to the difference between the first current and a first constant current; and a cascode circuit that generates a second voltage that amplifies the first voltage and supplies it to the gate of the power transistor.